Cuccoliana – Bologna Puppets
The summer review of Bologna puppets in the Cour d'Honneur of Palazzo d'Accursio
About Cuccoliana
Bologna Puppets Under the Stars
In the heart of Bologna, the capital of Emilia-Romagna, the Cuccoliana review celebrates one of the city's most beloved and deep-rooted traditions every summer: puppet theatre. Promoted by the association Burattini a Bologna, the event enlivens the evocative Cour d'Honneur of Palazzo d'Accursio, under the Clock Tower, transforming the Town Hall every Thursday evening into an open-air theatre where the masks of the popular Felsinean comedy come back to life.
A Story of Family and City
The name of the review pays homage to Filippo Cuccoli, considered the father of the Bologna puppet tradition, and his son Angelo, puppeteers of the 19th and early 20th centuries who shaped the characters still starring in the city's puppet shows today. On stage, Fagiolino, the cunning and quick-tempered servant armed with his stick, Sganapino, the learned and talkative Doctor Balanzone, and Sandrone return: figures in whom Bolognese people recognise their own spirit, made of wit, dialect, and healthy comedy.
Shows for All Ages
The programme alternates comedies, fairy tales, and dramas, dedicated to pure entertainment but also to the poetry of figure theatre. All shows, recommended for ages 4-5 and up, are designed to engage an adult audience as well, with introductions in Italian and English to welcome the many foreign visitors. In the evening, welcome begins early to enjoy the courtyard's atmosphere before the curtain rises.
BuraTday for the Little Ones
Alongside the evening events, the review offers BuraTday: short afternoon figure theatre shows followed by free workshops for children, opportunities to discover the art of animating a puppet up close and to introduce new generations to this intangible heritage.
A Living Heritage
Cuccoliana is not just entertainment: it is a guardian of Bologna's popular culture, preserved and renewed year after year thanks to the work of contemporary puppeteers and the artistic direction of the company. Part of the Bologna Estate programme promoted by the Municipality of Bologna, the review has become one of the most anticipated events of summer evenings in the city, capable of uniting memory, identity, and wonder in one of the symbolic places of the Province of Bologna.
Cuccoliana — edition 2026
2026 Edition: The Tenth Anniversary
The tenth edition of Cuccoliana takes place from June 25 to September 10, 2026, every Thursday at 8:30 PM in the Cour d'Honneur of Palazzo d'Accursio. The programme celebrates Filippo Cuccoli, father of the Bologna puppet tradition, 220 years after his birth, and opens the dossier for the Wolfango Centenary.
Special Evenings
The opening evening on June 25 features Alighiera Peretti Poggi, Wolfango's daughter, as godmother. On July 2, Roberto Serra discusses a new puppet sculpted by Riccardo Pazzaglia based on the master's original drawings. On July 19, a "dialogue between a Sicilian puppet and a Bologna puppet" is staged, a tribute on the anniversary of the Via D'Amelio bombing. Every Thursday, an evening explores the masks of Sandrone and Doctor Balanzone.
BuraTday
The BuraTday events, short figure theatre shows followed by free workshops for children, are held on Sunday afternoons, July 6 and 13, and August 17 and 24, at 6:30 PM, in the Cour d'Honneur of Palazzo d'Accursio.
Programme Cuccoliana 2026
- June 25 – opening evening with godmother Alighiera Peretti Poggi
- July 2 – Roberto Serra and the new puppet sculpted by Riccardo Pazzaglia
- July 19 – "Dialogue between a Sicilian puppet and a Bologna puppet" (anniversary tribute to Via D'Amelio)
- Every Thursday at 8:30 PM – comedies, fairy tales, and dramas with Fagiolino, Sganapino, Sandrone, and Doctor Balanzone
- BuraTday (Sundays July 6 and 13, August 17 and 24 at 6:30 PM) – free shows and workshops for children
Highlights Cuccoliana 2026
Prices Cuccoliana 2026
Practical information — Cuccoliana
Getting There
Palazzo d'Accursio is located in Piazza Maggiore, in the pedestrian heart of Bologna. It can be reached on foot from Bologna Centrale railway station in about 20 minutes or by direct bus lines to the city centre. It is advisable to leave your car in the peripheral car parks and continue on foot or by public transport, given the limited traffic zone (ZTL).
Tickets
Full price €7; reduced price €5 (children aged 5-12, adult members, Card Cultura and Bologna Welcome Card holders); reduced price €1 (child members, people with disabilities). Advance purchase recommended on Vivaticket or on the burattiniabologna.it website. Afternoon BuraTday events are free.
Tips
The shows are held outdoors: in case of bad weather, check for any changes on the official channels. Public welcome begins half an hour before the start.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Cuccoliana
Cortile d'Onore di Palazzo d'Accursio
Piazza Maggiore 6, 40121 Bologna